Academics study mental health in Low German-speaking communities

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/12/2015 (3763 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Medical professionals are hearing insight from academics on how to handle the delicate balancing act of respecting the religious principles of Low German-speaking Mennonites while treating mental health issues that can conflict.

An understanding and a respect of that occasional discord are among the key observations Southern Health staff will take away from the research conducted by Dr. Judith Kulig of the University of Lethbridge, who has spent 20 years working with the population on a range of health-related topics.

Dr. Kulig and her research student Ling Ling Fan shared their findings with local health professionals this fall at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach.

One case Kulig outlined was individuals who hear voices because they are delusional. In some cases, if a Low German-speaking Mennonite is religious, they may interpret those voices as normal behaviour—an example of God talking to you, when in fact those voices are actually delusions.

It is in the interest of care providers, Kulig said, to both grasp the beliefs of Low Germans, and ensure that people of influence in their communities, from ministers to counsellors, understand those who are religious, and who may hear the voices of a higher power, can also suffer from mental health troubles.

“There are some Mennonites that believe if you just prayed more, if you spent more time in church, if you were more attuned to that religious lifestyle, you wouldn’t be depressed or you wouldn’t have the suffering you’re having, and you’re suffering because God wants you to suffer,” she said.

Mental health disorders, she said, are the result of a chemical imbalance that should be treated medically.

“A woman with post-partum depression, she hasn’t done anything wrong, she has a chemical imbalance,” said Kulig.

Research into this project began more than two years ago, said Kulig, with interviews conducted with Low German Mennonites in Manitoba and other pockets with high concentrations, like in Mexico.

Southern Health CEO Kathy McPhail said one of her main observations was the gender differences in how mental health is recognized. Women think mental illness is the result of poor nerves, while men believe these nerve troubles run in the family.

McPhail hopes this study, once it is published in the New Year, will help their staff learn about cultural traditions and how mental health illness are perceived by Low German Mennonites, with guidelines on how medical professionals can move forward to ensure Low German speakers, such as the growing immigration base from countries like Bolivia and Paraguay, are well-treated in the health care realm.

“This so helpful for us, in the health system, as you have these folks on your client list,” said McPhail. “Knowing some of the challenges they are facing, some of the beliefs they hold, then you’re able to work within that.”

Kulig notes it is important to understand not all Low German Mennonites have the same beliefs on mental health, and that all cultures tend to have a negative stigma attached to mental health.

You can read some of Kulig’s past studies at www.mennonitehealth.com.